MARKETING OF FARMERS’ PRODUCE.

Shannon News, 5 July 1921, Page 1

MARKETING OF FARMERS’ PRODUCE.

CONTROL ON HOME MARKET WANTED. ' The Foxton branch of the Farmers’ Union forwarded a remit to the Manawatu Sub-Provincial Executive meeting in Levin on Saturday in reference to the handling of primary products. The remit was as follows "That, in view of the falling prices of meat, the time has arrived when meat and other products should be controlled by the producers to the Home consumers, including shipping, cold storage, and the establishment of a selling floor on the English mar ket.” Mr G. Gower, the Foxton delegate, introduced the remit, and moved that it be approved.: He pointed to what he termed were excessive costs in the shipment of beef to the Home market, the various charges made by the different parties through whose hands it passed till it reached the consumer making the business a hazardous one for the farmer. Mr J. Balsillie (Palmerston North) advocated' the grading of meat the same as other classes of Dominion produce. That would ensure a good standard of quality being maintained and fair values being received. If it was not considered then that prices were good enough, retail stores should be opened in the Old Country, and thus pass the produce on direct to the consumer. Mr H. Bond (Rangiotu) seconded the remit, and stated that it had been pointed out at the Masterton conference that it was useless sending extra heavy mutton do the Home market, as this class of meat was not in the best demand, and might result in a loss. This showed the necessity of sending the right stuff. Mr J. A. McLeavey (Palmerston North) said finance was the principal thing in going" about these schemes: If they had no proposals for raising the money to finance such an undertaking they would not get far. It was eminently desirable that the farmers should have greater control over their produce, and referred to the shipping problem, which was one of the great obstacles. If the • farmers had their own shipping—a scheme that had been advocated for some time pastmuch of the present difficulty would be overcome. The remit was approved.